Gezicht op gondels in de lagune van Venetië, in de verte rechts de Santa Maria della Presentazione en links de kerk van San Giorgio Maggiore 1889 - 1893

This photograph captures gondolas adrift in the Venetian lagoon, taken by Johanna Margaretha Piek. The gondola, a symbol of Venice itself, carries a rich cargo of cultural memory. Consider the gondola's form: its sleek, dark body cutting through the water, an evolution of ancient vessels navigating the waterways of civilization. Think of Charon ferrying souls across the river Styx, or Egyptian barques carrying pharaohs to the afterlife. The gondola, like these, becomes a vessel of transition, a passage through the liquid streets of Venice. In the background, the churches of Santa Maria della Presentazione and San Giorgio Maggiore loom. These architectural symbols of faith stand guard over the city. They remind us of Venice's historical role as a bridge between East and West. The image evokes a dreamlike quality. It invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of symbols, and their enduring power to shape our understanding of culture and identity.